Peach Waves didn't bother trying to decipher Okino's muddled explanation. She simply tuned him out and focused on stretching—after all, she had no intention of cramping up again.
Once all three were ready, she called Okino over.
"Alright, Trainer. What's the plan?"
Okino blinked at her, caught off guard by her assertiveness.
"Wait, who's the trainer here—you or me?"
"Hehe, you're the senior Uma Musume. I'm just humbly seeking your wisdom."
Peach Waves rolled her eyes.
"Fine. We'll run on the innermost 600-meter track. Three jog laps, three acceleration laps. Got it?"
"Understood. What's the time target?"
"Accelerate in 28 seconds, jog in 35."
Okino nodded, but Scarlet and Vodka exchanged uneasy glances.
"It's fine.." Peach Waves reassured them. "I'll lead. Just follow my pace."
"Okay, Peach-chan."
At the starting line, Okino gave the signal, and the three took off.
From the first lap, Peach Waves lived up to her name—cutting through the air like a breeze. Vodka and Scarlet kept up, but it was clear who was setting the pace.
After the first acceleration lap, they were still in decent shape. The jog lap gave them a brief reprieve.
By the second round, both were breathing heavily. Peach Waves, meanwhile, looked as composed as ever.
By the third acceleration lap, their pace faltered.
"Vodka, Scarlet, you're slowing down!" Okino called, checking his stopwatch.
They pushed through, but by the end of the set, Scarlet was sprawled on the ground, and Vodka was bent over, gasping.
"Hahaha… Scarlet, you're wiped out," Vodka teased between breaths.
"I'm fine! Don't underestimate me!"
Okino glanced at the two collapsed racers, then at Peach Waves—who was calmly wiping sweat from her brow, barely winded.
Ten minutes later, it was time for the second set. The others were still recovering, so Peach Waves ran the fourth set alone.
Okino approached the two exhausted girls.
"How are you holding up? Think you can handle more?"
"Nope. I'm done. Training with her is torture," Vodka groaned.
"Same here… I'm sore all over.." Scarlet added.
"Don't worry. Normal training resumes tomorrow," Okino said, scratching his head sheepishly.
Peach Waves jogged over, smiling.
"Vodka, Scarlet—how about one more set? I'll give you candy afterward~"
"Candy?" Scarlet blinked, then remembered the last time she'd eaten one of Peach Waves' energy candies. It had worked wonders.
"This one's easy. No speed requirement. Just jog it out. I just want to see you both finish strong."
She crouched and gently poked Vodka's flushed cheek. A soft fragrance lingered in the air, and Vodka blinked, suddenly more alert.
"It'd be a great boost for your endurance," she added. "But don't force it. If it's too much, rest. I don't want you getting hurt."
Okino nodded in agreement.
"She's right. Push if you can, but don't risk injury."
The two girls sat up, exchanging a look.
"They're probably done," Peach Waves said with a shrug. "No need to push it."
"Wait! I'm not letting her call me weak!" Vodka shot up.
"Who are you calling weak?! I'm in too!" Scarlet followed.
In a flash, the two were back on their feet, jogging beside Peach Waves once more.
Okino watched them go, sighing.
"You're a bit of a menace, you know."
"What? I'm just encouraging them," Peach Waves replied with a sweet smile.
"They've been hanging around Gold Ship too long. A little motivation doesn't hurt."
Okino glanced at Gold Ship, who was snoring under a parasol.
"As for her… I'll worry when she decides to train on her own. This isn't the team next door—we're not that strict. I'd rather be a booster than a drill sergeant."
He paused, then added:
"So… when are you going to reveal your identity? You've got the makings of a legend."
Peach Waves smirked.
"No rush. Once I win the Mare Triple Crown, I'll show off my true form."
"Why not go for the Classic Triple Crown?"
"I beat Suzuka once, sure. But I'm not there yet. I'll go for the Classic when I know I can dominate."
"You're too cautious…"
For the final set, Vodka and Scarlet jogged at a relaxed pace—35 seconds for the acceleration lap, 47 for the jog.
True to her word, Peach Waves handed them each an energy candy.
"Peach-chan, I'm too tired… feed me~" Vodka whined, sprawled on the grass.
"Me too!" Scarlet chimed in.
Peach Waves chuckled, knelt down, and popped a candy into each of their mouths.
"Training's done. See you both tomorrow. Mr. Trainer, I'm heading out."
Outside the Training Ground
Silent Suzuka sat quietly on a bench, waiting. When she saw Peach Waves approaching, she stood and walked beside her.
"Suzuka-chan! Sorry to keep you waiting again!"
"It's fine. You didn't take long."
"How's strength training going? Tired?"
Suzuka shook her head gently.
"Not really. Compared to your training, mine's a breeze."
"Really~?"
Peach Waves leaned down and poked Suzuka's calf.
Suzuka jolted.
"Peach-chan!"
"Haha, sorry! Here—have a candy to calm down."
She handed over an energy candy. Suzuka popped it into her mouth, surprised as it melted instantly.
"How is it? Tasty?"
"Mm… sweet."
"Huh? That candy's flavorless. It's just for energy."
Peach Waves laughed. Suzuka smiled softly.
"Maybe it's sweet because it came from you."
Peach Waves froze, cheeks flushing.
"W-what's with the sudden sweetness, Suzuka-chan?!"
"How do you feel in Spica?"
"It's nice. Relaxed. I trained with Scarlet and Vodka today. They were exhausted."
"I see… I have a race in two months. Will you come watch?"
"Of course! Suzuka's race? I wouldn't miss it. I'll even set up a food stall—how about a barbecue stand?"
Suzuka chuckled, gently nodding as Peach Waves bounced beside her.
"You just want an excuse to grill meat."
"Guilty as charged."
The two walked side by side down the quiet path, their laughter echoing softly as the sun dipped lower. A few Uma Musume passed by, smiling at the warm scene between the two.